Hey friends!
Looks like were all going to be stuck in our houses a little bit longer than we had hoped. I’m starting to miss friends and family, have a drink after work, and hitting the gym. I had just mastered the art of “waking-up-early-to-work- out -routine.” And with Summer just around the corner, now is NOT the time to gain that Quarantine 15. So yesterday I rummaged through my belongings to see what I could use to make a home gym. I chose my garage as my gym space, but you can also use that extra bedroom or even your living room can work!
You don’t need much, just a few workout at home essentials and some motivation. Like mine, it does not need to be pretty, it just needs to get the job done. Right now many of us are with out jobs and have to pinch every penny that we can. For that reason, I made sure that everything that linked here is UNDER $25!!!
To go along with the equipment shared in this post, I’ve also tagged some FREE workout videos for you. I hope you can use these to put together your own Quarantine workout plan!
HOME GYM ESSENTIALS
Resistance Bands
There are a ton of workouts you can do with resistance bands, which are (inexpensive!) and great for muscle stimulus, stretching, core activation, and increased strength!
HERE ARE SOME FREE WORKOUTS TO DO USING RESISTANCE BANDS:
Yoga Mat
If you’re setting up a workout station in your garage then you will need some sort of grip to hold your footing and place while you’re exercising. A yoga mat will provide a soft cushion for when you are doing abs, or any kind of workout that requires you to be on the ground.
HERE ARE SOME FREE WORKOUTS TO DO ON A YOGA MAT:
Ankle Weights
Working on that peach? Ankle Weights are one of my favorite tools to activate my glutes during leg day. They’re extremely versatile and you can bring them anywhere, strap them to your feet while traveling, and use them on your ankles or in your hands as weights if you’re stuck at home!
HERE ARE SOME FREE WORKOUTS WITH ANKLE WEIGHTS:
Fitness Ball
Using a fitness ball is a great way to ease back pain, increase your core strength, and increase overall stability. I mainly use this for my ab workouts which gives me an insane burn in just a few short minutes.
HERE ARE SOME WORKOUTS USING A FITNESS BALL:
Jump Rope
I’m sure most of us do not have the luxury to own a home treadmill or stationary bike. And if the weather is bad, you most definately do not want to leave the house. A great way to warm up your body with some stationary cardio is by using a simple jump rope.
Backpack
Most of you have a backpack laying around your house. I know you’ve never really though of using it before, but a sturdy backpack and a pile of books or weights are all you need for an effective workout.
HERE ARE SOME WORKOUTS USING A BACKPACK:
Dumbbell Weights
Everyone should own a set or pair of dumbbell weights for simple strength training and toning. I recommend getting a pair of light weights- between 2lb – 5lbs and one set of heavy weights between 10lbs – 15lbs depending on your skill level. Light weights will be great to use in simple toning exercises during Pilates or Yoga. Whereas your heavier weights will be used during strength training and body building exercises. Dumbbells CAN be pricey, but I’ve linked a few affordable options below.
HERE ARE SOME WORKOUTS YOU CAN DO WITH DUMBBELL WEIGHTS:
Beyond the essentials that I mentioned here, I would recommend bringing in a chair, cooler, or bench (with a sturdy top that can support your weight) for workouts like step ups and tricep dips. I would also grab an extra mirror if you have one so you can watch yourself during your workouts to make sure you are using proper form. Last but not least, if you have an extra TV or computer – heck even your phone– bring that with you and hook it up to Youtube, search for free fitness videos ad follow along!
And if you don’t have workout equipment in your home and do not want to purchase any, there are still PLENTY of free videos and workout programs you can follow along on. Here are some of my favorite FREE programs:
Blogalaties – VERY good for your core and if you want a flatter stomach this summer.
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